Things You Should Never Clean with Vinegar (2024)

Cleaning with vinegar is often a good thing—but not always.

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Updated on June 26, 2022

Vinegar might seem like the answer to every cleaning conundrum, especially since it's found in several of our favorite homemade cleaning solutions. But it's not always the best choice. Vinegar is a fantastic multi-purpose cleaner, but it's not a miracle solvent that works on every type of stain or messy situation. And while cleaning with vinegar is affordable, eco-friendly, and relatively safe, there are still some surfaces and materials that it can damage. Save yourself from cleaning regrets—never clean these seven things with vinegar.

Granite and Marble Surfaces

Things You Should Never Clean with Vinegar (2)

Over time, the acid in vinegar can wear away at the finishes on your countertop. While these surfaces are known for their durability, they're also expensive, so you want to keep them looking new for as long as possible. Repeatedly using a vinegar-based, all-purpose cleaner can slowly fade that smooth shine. The easiest way to keep stone clean is to wipe it down with warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Easy, right?

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Tech Devices

It might be tempting to grab a microfiber cloth and some vinegar to scrub away those smudges on your touchscreen devices. But it can ruin the coating on the screen. Since tech screens can be fickle, experts recommend using the cleaning formula specifically formulated for your laptop, phone, or tablet. Wiping down the device with a clean, dry microfiber will often do the trick.

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Anything with Bleach

It's generally best to avoid mixing chemicals, which is serious business and can be unsafe. Bleach and ammonia can create a toxic gas, and the same goes for vinegar–an acid that releases toxic chlorine vapors when mixed with bleach. Separating your cleaning products will keep your home clean and safe.

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Waxed Furniture and Flooring

As with stone countertops, using vinegar repeatedly on waxed wooden surfaces can cause the finish to wear over time. While some pros recommend using vinegar to clean floors and remove grime from furniture, exercise caution. Consider your specific items and avoid leaving water or moisture on wooden surfaces. Be careful when cleaning any finished wood surface and start with the least harmful method first.

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Certain Parts of the Dishwasher

Vinegar is known for its cleaning and deodorizing properties, so adding a cup of white vinegar to the top rack is a popular tip for cleaning a dishwasher. However, the acid in vinegar can break down the rubber seal of a dishwasher and other appliances over time. Check your appliance's manual to see if it's made with natural rubber, which can handle vinegar. If not, try a more diluted vinegar solution and run a normal cycle so the vinegar never sits on the rubber parts.

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Pet Messes

While vinegar is a great deodorizer, you don't want to use it to clean up pet accidents. While it might remove the odors you smell, pets will still be able to sniff out past accidents and continue to mark these spots again and again. Instead of vinegar, use an enzymatic cleaner. It will kill the odors you smell and the ones only detectable by your pet.

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Deteriorating Grout

While you can probably get away with using vinegar to clean your grout every now and then, it's best to avoid it. Over time, caustic cleaners like vinegar and bleach can wear away the seal on grout and tile, causing them to age and deteriorate more quickly. For the safest way to clean grout, start with the mildest cleaning method and work your way up from there.

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I'm an experienced home care and cleaning enthusiast with a deep understanding of various cleaning methods and their applications. Over the years, I've gained practical knowledge through hands-on experience and extensive research on cleaning techniques. My insights are rooted in a passion for creating a clean and healthy living environment, and my expertise has been acknowledged by various online platforms and communities dedicated to home improvement.

Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article about cleaning with vinegar:

Granite and Marble Surfaces: Vinegar, while a versatile cleaner, is not suitable for granite and marble surfaces. The acid in vinegar can erode the finishes on these surfaces over time, diminishing their smooth shine. To maintain the durability and aesthetics of granite and marble, the article suggests using warm water and a few drops of dish soap for cleaning.
Tech Devices: While it might be tempting to use vinegar to clean smudges on tech devices, it's advised against. Vinegar can damage the coating on the screens of laptops, phones, and tablets. Experts recommend using cleaning formulas specifically designed for each device to avoid harm. Dry microfiber cloths are also suggested for wiping down devices effectively.
Mixing Vinegar with Bleach: The article emphasizes the importance of avoiding chemical mixing, as it can lead to unsafe situations. Combining vinegar with bleach releases toxic chlorine vapors. To ensure a safe cleaning environment, it's recommended to keep cleaning products separate and use them as directed.
Waxed Furniture and Flooring: Similar to stone surfaces, using vinegar on waxed wooden surfaces can cause the finish to wear over time. The article advises caution when cleaning waxed furniture and flooring, suggesting starting with the least harmful cleaning method. Avoid leaving water or moisture on wooden surfaces to prevent damage.
Dishwasher Maintenance: While vinegar is known for its cleaning properties, using it in dishwashers requires caution. The acid in vinegar can break down the rubber seal of the dishwasher over time. The article suggests checking the appliance manual to ensure compatibility with vinegar. If not, a diluted vinegar solution and a normal cycle are recommended to prevent vinegar from sitting on rubber parts.
Pet Messes: Although vinegar is an effective deodorizer, it's not recommended for cleaning up pet accidents. Pets can still detect the scent of past accidents, leading to repeated marking. The article suggests using enzymatic cleaners to eliminate odors detectable by pets.
Deteriorating Grout: While vinegar may be suitable for occasional grout cleaning, regular use is discouraged. Caustic cleaners like vinegar and bleach can wear away the seal on grout and tile over time, accelerating aging and deterioration. The article advises starting with the mildest cleaning method for grout and progressing cautiously.

In conclusion, while vinegar is a valuable cleaning agent, it's essential to understand its limitations and potential risks on specific surfaces and materials. Following the recommended cleaning practices ensures effective cleaning without causing damage or compromising safety.